Jeffrey Brewer, CEO of Bigfoot Biomedical, who has partnered with Abbott to bring this technology to the U.S., said, “FreeStyle Libre is a dramatic advance — the first product that truly makes life with diabetes easier and addresses the most important problem plaguing people with diabetes: real-world, day-to-day, moment-to-moment usability.”

The FreeStyle Libre launched in Europe in October of 2014 and just received U.S. FDA approval on September 28, 2017. Abbott expects that it will be available for purchase in the States by the end of the year.

What Is It?

Similar to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), the FreeStyle Libre consists of a sensor embedded just under the skin that tests your glucose levels every minute. Other CGMs take readings about every five minutes and send those automatically to a readout device.

The FreeStyle Libre stores up to eight hours of readings. You get your current glucose level and a graph showing the last eight hours when you scan the sensor using a mobile, handheld reader device. The reader has a touchscreen for ease of use. It can take a reading through clothing as thick as four centimeters, so checking your glucose levels is now much more convenient and discreet.

The reader allows you to also “add tags to each scan, such as carbs, insulin, exercise, and customizable options,” explained Diatribe.

The data can be downloaded to your computer, and app developers in Europe have designed apps for use with NFC or RFID enabled smart phones to be able to scan the sensor, eliminating the need for the separate reader device.

The FreeStyle Libre Saves Your Fingertips

Traditional CGMs require the user to calibrate the sensor once or twice a day via finger stick. Patients are also advised to verify readings using a finger stick before administering insulin based on their CGM’s reading.

This new system represents a leap in technology, in that it does not require regular finger sticks for calibration, as most other CGMs do. The device is factory-calibrated and doesn’t require daily re-calibration. Nor does it require a confirmatory finger stick prior to every insulin injection. This makes it unique in the glucose monitoring industry.

According to Diatribe’s review, the FreeStyle Libre reader conveniently “includes a built-in FreeStyle blood glucose meter for the few cases in which Abbott does recommend a confirmatory fingerstick (hypoglycemia symptoms, fast rates of change, when symptoms don’t match the reader).”

The FreeStyle Libre Increases Glycemic Control

Studies show that people using this system tend to check their sugars far more often than those who rely on finger sticks to assess their glucose levels. The average during trials was 15 times a day. This frequent testing allows patients to detect trends and to gain a better understanding of how various foods, physical activities, and medications affect their blood sugar.

Fingers Sticks Are Not Gone Forever

There are still times, even while faithfully using the FreeStyle Libre system as directed, when a finger stick will be necessary. If the unit displays its “Check Blood Glucose” symbol, you should do as it says.

If your symptoms don’t match the readings you’re getting from the system or you suspect that the readings may not be accurate for some reason, then you should do a finger stick.

How the FreeStyle Libre Compares to Other CGMs

According to the review on asweetlife.org, this system is called a “flash glucose monitor,” as opposed to a “continuous glucose monitor,” because it doesn’t automatically send to a receiver all the readings it takes. Instead you have to take the step to scan the sensor to see your current reading and trends from the last eight hours.

PRO: The FreeStyle Libre is the longest lasting personal glucose sensor available in the U.S. It lasts 10-14 days on the back of the upper arm before needing to be replaced with a new sensor.

CON: It is only approved for use on the back of the upper arm, whereas CGMs can often be placed in other areas, such as the abdomen.

PRO: The device is less bulky than other models. It is round and about the size of two stacked quarters.

PRO: The sensor can easily be applied one-handed by the wearer. The applicator has been designed for ease of use.

PRO: It is water resistant and can be worn in the shower and while swimming, provided it is not immersed deeper than three feet or for longer than three hours.

Possible CON: The FreeStyle Libre does not have an automatic alarm that lets the wearer know they’re having a hypoglycemic episode. On the other hand, some people would prefer not to have alarms going off all the time. If this sounds like you and you don’t suffer from hypoglycemia unawareness, then the FreeStyle Libre might be a good fit for you.

Brewer says, “All the technology I’ve seen in the last decade only provided more power, but at the sacrifice of quality of life. Libre eases the burden of the disease with fewer pieces to assemble and fewer steps to keep it working, as well as pain-free insertion and superior wearability.”

Have You Used It? Do You Want to? Please Share!

Have you been using the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System (were you involved in the trials, live in Europe, or obtain it in advance from someone in Europe)? If so, what do you think of it?

If this system is brand new to you, are you intrigued? Will you look into getting one for yourself?

We’d love to hear from you regarding your thoughts and opinions on this new technology!

Rebecca Dugas is a professional writer and editor who lives with a rare form of insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1.5). She is also vegetarian and sometimes struggles with her low-carb, plant-based diet. She and her husband live and travel full-time in their RV, educating people they meet along the way about both diabetes and vegetarianism. She created the website Diabetic Herbivore to help other diabetic vegetarians to survive and thrive through information, recipes, resources, reviews, education, and support.

Comments

This is a nice compact design but for me I need the alerts from a Dexcom. If this could be updated to give the functions of a full CGMS this definitely would be the one to consider but it would also increase the size and cost of the present compact design.The other problem, I’ve heard from friends in the UK, is a supply problem which has limited the availability of the sensors which impacts the continuing supply to present users and the rate at which new customers can be taken on.

I’ve been using the Freestyle libre for 2 months and find it a big plan changer. What I used to think about my BGs has definitely changed. I’m T1 and always thought about the control number HBA1c. Since using this device I can see how my numbers change every hour. I have connected with other mobile devices using NFC chips in smartphone and with the graphs I don’t need to wake and check the night number and I’ve pin pointed the usual time for my dawn phenomenon and have adjusted my basal to counteract. It’s been working. So on this it helps to be more in control But it can also be obsessive. Not having to prick fingers and just scan with my phone app or reader just has me doing it without noticing anymore but other people do notice and ask what I’m doing. It’s worth it. I recommend.